Area Obituaries

William Thomas Leeper of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands was born on August 7th, 1971, to Doris Ann (Rittierodt) and David Patrick Leeper. He was brought home to his big sister, Laura Ann Leeper. He later became a big brother himself to Robert Jay, Jeffery Allen, and Jennifer Lynn. Bill, or Billy as he was…

Robert Lee (Bob) Sickels was born at home south of Mount Ayr, Iowa, on October 21, 1936, to Roy Elvis and Edna Elsie (Mosier) Sickels. He was welcomed home by older brother, Carroll, and the family was completed by brother Bill and the twins, Jack and Janice. When Bob was 5 years old the family…

Berta Geraldine Morin was born on December 25, 1930, in Parnell-Worth County, Missouri, to Paul and Sybil (Carroll) Morin. She was the sixth of eleven siblings and grew up nurturing the bonds that made her large family so close-knit. From an early age, she exemplified humility, dedication, and a profound love for those around her.…

Carroll William Taylor, son of Edward William Taylor and Wilma Beatrice Schafer Taylor, was born May 16, 1938, in Corning, Iowa. At the beginning of World War II, his father enlisted in the Navy and Carroll and his mother moved to Malcolm, Iowa and then to Grinnell, Iowa. ShirleyMae, his only sibling, was born in…

Curtis Scott Braby, 66, died Thursday, April 3, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family under the care of St. Croix Hospice. Curt was born on December 16, 1958, in Mount Ayr, Iowa.  Following his graduation from Mount Ayr Community High School where he was a state champion heavy weight wrestler, he attended…

Gary Bailey, 86, of Winterset, formerly of Creston Afton area, died Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Mt. Ayr at the Clearview Home. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 2025, at the Powers Funeral Home in Afton. Pastor Jodi Rushing will officiate the service. The burial will be at…

Joyce G. Mitchell, daughter of William and Geraldine (Summa) Adams, was born February 12, 1924, at home in rural Gentry County, Missouri. Joy attended Grant City High School and graduated with the class of 1942. On June 4, 1942, Joy was united in marriage to Duane E. Mitchell in Rockport, Missouri. To this marriage was…

Nancy Lynn (Wicker Deemer) Grose was born May 3, 1948, to Donald Eugene Wicker and Alice Marie (Laird) Wicker in Creston, IA. Nancy grew up in rural Kellerton, IA as the oldest of her three sisters, Marsha, Donna, and Debbie. Nancy (Nance) attended school at Kellerton and graduated in 1966 from Grand Valley High School…

With love and gratitude, we celebrate the extraordinary life of Dorothy (Bruner) Parrish, who passed away peacefully, March 30, 2025, at the age of 100 years and 6 months. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and servant of God, Dorothy’s life was a testament to faith, family, and unwavering kindness. Dorothy was born September 23, 1924,…

Luxen Dean Chumbley went from life to heaven on March 9, 2025. Luxen is loved by mom Mandy Chumbley, big sister Kinsley, big brother Huxley, all of Lamoni; grandpa JJ Chumbley, grandma Kathy, Aunt Chey and Uncle Donavon Flowers, cousins Jaylyn, Benson, Axton and great-grandma Rose Baker. Luxen was preceded by his uncle J.T. Chumbley,…